Wednesday, 28 February 2018

I love food,
gastronomy and people who are on the same page as me……hence, I was quite keen
to have a telephonic rendezvous with the young icon of this month, Yatin
Hegde.A polished, very cultured voice greeted me and before I knew it, a very
lucid autobiographical account of a gentleman was mine to imbibe and write about.
Three things struck me immediately. Yatin is a gifted and lucid speaker with clarity
of thought which is noteworthy. Second, he is an extremely well sorted person
who does not get swayed by the crests and troughs of Life. Third but not the
least, Yatin is a man with a mission……. a soulful, committed, gastronomical
mission.

Born in the
traditional hospitality- sector driven family has its veritable Headstart….Yatin’s
father was one of the pioneers of the classical Udipi prototype hospitality
enterprises….that which colors the
top of “favourite” list of delicious,wholesome and utterly hygienic eating-out
experiences of the discerning Mumbaikar.The yummy South Indian concoctions
served lovingly at these ‘joints’ have assumed National and in fact, Global
profiles. Interestingly, the emphatic success of this genre of business
enterprise also has at its fulcrum, a curious conservative approach and a
slightly staid methodology of operation.

As a
schoolboy, Yatin was at his father’s restaurant during his vacation and got an
opportunity to learn hands-on the intricacies of the trade on the shopfloor. Today,
Yatin is profusely grateful to the
strict disciplinarian of a father he has! A father, who insisted that Yatin be
the most modest apprentice at the lowest rung of the hierarchy….waiting at
tables,clearing the dishes and gaining firsthand the most valuable lessons of
dignity of labour.He admits that he was an eager student and a fast and astute
learner, hence,he was soon at the cash counter.The logistics and the financial
aspects of the game were immediately no strangers to him.

He continued
his education side by side, mastering people skills.His naturally affable
personality and value based upbringing helped him at every step of the
way.However, he started feeling thwarted by the predictability of it all.His
superior intellect and analytical mind made him realize that the customer had
all the winning cards in his hand and was the one who called all the shots.He
realized that contemporary Indians due to their well rounded knowledge and
extensively travelled profiles now had started developing adventurous palates. They
were changing in their food preferences…….hence,Yatin deduced that the time had
come to metamorphose.The caterpillar was poised to become a butterfly……but that
is where his arduous journey began. Ironically,Yatin had an uphill task convincing
his father that if they had to survive in the hospitality industry, they had to
reinvent themselves.His father belonging to the Olde World cadre was neither
impressed nor convinced about the potential of his ideas.However, Yatin was a
man driven by purpose,diligence and single-minded focus.He finally managed to
get his father to come around.

Well,well….Spirit
Kitchen and Bar was born….!!As they say the rest is history.It was a concept
totally different from the conservative, maybe even run- of- the- mill Udipi
experience which the Hegde Clan had provided to innumerable loyal and well
satisfied Mumbaikars.At the same time, there were some very fundamental
similarities between the old and the new.Uncompromising quality,delicious food
and a memorable eating experience were still their goals and Yatin promised
that they would always be.So, then what was different??The understated faintly
Colonial and utterly classy facades, the stylish decor and food ,which was the
result of tireless experimentation to achieve nothing but the best.Little
wonder, that now Mumbai boasts of four
Spirit and Kitchen Restaurants spanning Ghatkopar to Borivli and what have
you.The Icon,Yatin had ARRIVED….

He hands to
his Alma mater all the credit of doing a fabulous job of putting the World
skills in his kitty.He specified that the ethos of SPJ as he calls it is one of
the most valuable takeaways from his MBA program.He definitely agrees that a
structured MBA training was a mandatory requirement for his practical
skillset.Yatin also deeply appreciates and recognizes the importance of the
contacts he made with scions of other business families, by way of seniors and
peers.He maintains connections with quite a few of them even now and the
bridges built in the MBA days are strong and sustainable.

“What plans
for the future,Yatin?”….my question drew an answer in the form of an
enthusiastic guffaw and a statement hued with passionate drive and
enthusiasm.”I would like to continue scaling new heights and would like the
restaurants to carry a brand image synonymous with finesse,elegance and amazing
food!” was his answer.

Yatin,
throughout his interview had given innumerable take home messages which can be
beacons to his juniors and the youth of today.As I was poised to wish this very
promising young man, all the success he deserves, he invited me to his Spirit
and Kitchen for a meal so gracefully that not only have I accepted but am
actually looking forward to an unparalleled gastronomical experience.God bless
you,Yatin….may many stomachs and hearts be satiated by your magic ladle!!